Hugh Boyd Manson

Major General Hugh Boyd Manson
1915 - 2013
Resident of Los Gatos
Major General Hugh Boyd Manson. Born in Darien, Ga., in 1915, Hugh Manson graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, FL in 1934 and from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in 1938, with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
Hugh Manson was commissioned on Feb. 1, 1939, as a second lieutenant and received his pilot's wings. He served from 1942 to 1943 as a squadron commander in the 22d Bomb Group in Australia and New Guinea, which earned the Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem. From 1943 to 1945, he served as commander of the B-26 training group at Lake Charles, La. In early 1945, he joined the 319th Bomb Group as deputy commander and served on Okinawa. Upon his return to the United States, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1950. From 1951 to 1954 he was director of flight and all-weather testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. After graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 1955, he became commander of the 406th Fighter Interceptor Wing in England until May 1958 when he moved to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, as deputy chief of staff for operations, where he earned the Legion of Merit. In 1960, he was named commander of the Atlas Site Activation Task Force at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, where he was awarded an oak leaf cluster to the Legion of Merit for providing combat-ready missile silos. The balance of his military career was at Wright Patterson AFB as deputy chief of the Aeronautical Systems Division and at Edwards Air Force Base where he the commanding officer of the Air Force Flight Test Center and the Aerospace Research Pilot School. Following his military career he was Vice President of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University until his retirement.
Hugh Manson married the love of his life, Alma Lucy Fudger Manson, of Jacksonville Florida, in 1939. She preceded him passing in 2002.
Great-Great-Grandson of Robert Lachlison, Alderman of Savannah, 1864-65; Great-grandson of James Lachlison, Captain, Oglethorpe Light Infantry and Darien lumber mill operator. Grandson of Dr. Peter Clark of Darien and Robert Manson, British Vice Consul in Darien; son of Hugh Manson, merchant, Ponte Vedra, FL and Darien. Survived by his son and his family, Bruce Manson and Myrna Shiraev, of Los Gatos, CA, and their children Richard Manson, Rebecca Shiraev and Cynthia Shiraev; his nephews and their families Hunter and Bo Manson; his nephew and niece and their families Jay Basset and Stacey Young; several grandchildren; a great grandchild; and extended relatives on both coasts and in various countries, including the Fox, Reames and Kise families; and many friends at Cypress Village in Jacksonville, FL. He will be truly missed.
Passing on October 4, 2013 in his sleep after a very brief illness, he had asked that all donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Darien. A visitation will be held at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home of Brunswick, Ga. on Saturday October 19, 2013 from 12 Noon to 2 PM followed by Graveside services at 3 PM at St Andrews Cemetery, Darien, GA.
The arrangements for Mr. Manson have been entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com.